SEO Basics: How to Rank Your Website on Google
Launching a website is exciting, but if nobody can find it on Google, your hard work may go unnoticed. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. SEO is the process of improving your website so it ranks higher on Google when people search for your products or services.
If you’re new to SEO, here are the basics you need to know to start ranking your website:
1. Understand How Google Works
Google uses bots (called “crawlers”) to scan websites and then decides which sites to show when people search. The goal of SEO is to make your site more relevant and useful so Google recommends it.
2. Do Keyword Research
Keywords are the words people type into Google.
- Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic.
- Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “cheap web design in Lagos” instead of just “web design”).
- Make a list of 5–10 main keywords related to your business.
💡 Pro Tip: Think like your customer — what would they type into Google to find you?
3. Optimize Your Website Content
Once you have your keywords, use them naturally in your:
- Titles & Headings (H1, H2, H3)
- Meta description (the short text under your website link on Google)
- Body text (blog posts, service pages, product descriptions)
- Image alt text (describe your images for both SEO and accessibility)
4. Improve Your Website Speed & Mobile Friendliness
Google favors websites that load fast and look great on phones.
- Use lightweight themes and compress images.
- Test your speed with Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, since most Nigerians browse the web on smartphones.
5. Build Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to yours. The more trusted sites that link to you, the higher you’ll rank.
- Write guest posts on blogs.
- Submit your site to business directories (Google My Business, VConnect, BusinessList Nigeria).
- Share your content on social media to encourage others to link to it.
6. Use Free SEO Tools
- Google Search Console – shows how Google sees your site.
- Google Analytics – tracks where your visitors come from.
- Yoast SEO (WordPress plugin) – helps optimize your pages and blog posts.
7. Create Valuable, Consistent Content
The golden rule of SEO: content is king.
- Write blog posts that answer your audience’s questions.
- Post regularly (even once a week is fine).
- Make your content helpful, original, and easy to read.
✅ Final Thoughts
SEO may sound technical, but the basics are simple: use the right keywords, create great content, make your site fast, and earn backlinks. With time and consistency, your website will start ranking higher on Google and attracting more visitors.
